I could hear it before I could see it. As I hiked down a gentle slope towards an opening in the trees the noise grew louder. The continuous thundering rush of gallons and gallons of water pouring down multiple waterfalls. White foam starkly contrasting against the black, shiny lava rock that makes up the riverbed of Hawaii’s second longest river.
I had apparently found Narnia.
I was staying with friends in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii when I asked for advice about what to do with my day. My friend dropped a pin on a map and said “that’s the way to Narnia”. I googled it and found some very vague and conflicting directions about where to go to find the start of this secret trail known locally as Narnia, but went along to have a look. After a short walk at the side of a quiet road I came to a turning with a chain across the entrance and a bold yellow sign reading DEAD END. Others had clearly skirted the chain and proceeded down the road, just as I did now. It definitely looked like a dead end until, right at the back I saw a muddy track leading steeply upwards. “I can always turn back”, I thought as I squelched my way up in the drizzle. Still skeptical about what I was doing and mostly watching my footing to avoid the worst puddles, I was surprised when the path suddenly flattened and opened out to a wide, stony track in the middle of a forest. The wet palm trees and vines looked just the part for a journey to another world. I was through the wardrobe.
I had apparently found Narnia.
I was staying with friends in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii when I asked for advice about what to do with my day. My friend dropped a pin on a map and said “that’s the way to Narnia”. I googled it and found some very vague and conflicting directions about where to go to find the start of this secret trail known locally as Narnia, but went along to have a look. After a short walk at the side of a quiet road I came to a turning with a chain across the entrance and a bold yellow sign reading DEAD END. Others had clearly skirted the chain and proceeded down the road, just as I did now. It definitely looked like a dead end until, right at the back I saw a muddy track leading steeply upwards. “I can always turn back”, I thought as I squelched my way up in the drizzle. Still skeptical about what I was doing and mostly watching my footing to avoid the worst puddles, I was surprised when the path suddenly flattened and opened out to a wide, stony track in the middle of a forest. The wet palm trees and vines looked just the part for a journey to another world. I was through the wardrobe.
As I walked briskly along with peaceful track it seemed impossible to imagine the roads and houses of the sleepy town of Hilo. I was surrounded by greenery on all sides and entirely alone with the sounds of nature. Coming to a junction of paths I had to decide. Chance (and a vague sense of direction) took me towards the Wailuku River which had been such a feature of my previous adventures too. It’s easy to imagine Hina - mother of demigod Maui - and the antics of giant lizard Kuna whose stories intertwine with the life of the island and the water.
Turning my back on the water and retracing my steps I smiled to myself, pleased that I had found this secret spot despite the lack of information and the rain. As the drizzle turned heavier I couldn’t help but be grateful and proud to be in such an amazing place.
Want to find Narnia too? Message me using the Contact Form with why you want to visit and I’ll give you some clues!
Turning my back on the water and retracing my steps I smiled to myself, pleased that I had found this secret spot despite the lack of information and the rain. As the drizzle turned heavier I couldn’t help but be grateful and proud to be in such an amazing place.
Want to find Narnia too? Message me using the Contact Form with why you want to visit and I’ll give you some clues!
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